Stories and conversations on sport, science, and sustainability.
Materials in Motion: Sport, Science, Sustainability — a podcast by Project EcoMotion that brings materials science to life through real-world applications. New episodes arrive monthly. Listen right here:
Why is research so hard to implement in the real world, and how can we fix this? How do we get students interested in materials science — and why are high schoolers and graduate students the perfect combination for research?
How can nanoparticles improve polymer recycling? How do researchers deal with cases where improving one property worsens another? In this episode, we go over the most important concepts in research with Dr. Miriam Rafailovich.
How did a quick-drying glue turn into an idea for drug delivery and wound healing? And why might materials science & engineering be right for you? In the final part of our series, Dr. Jia Cheng (Washington State University) takes us behind the scenes of research — what a path into materials science & engineering can actually look like, and why discovery and curiosity are the real entry requirements.
How can concrete heal itself? Why was the development of steel and nylon so significant? What will be some of the most important materials in the next few decades? In part two of our series with Dr. Jia Cheng (Washington State University), we go over some of the more recent advances in materials science — including self-healing concrete and shape-memory alloys — revisit the breakthroughs of steel and nylon, and look ahead to the materials of the future.
How does a material's molecular structure determine its properties? How can modifying and combining materials improve their performance? In the first of a three-part series, we're joined by Dr. Jia Cheng — researcher and assistant professor at Washington State University — to go over the basics of materials science: the four classes of materials and some of their applications all around us.
Why is polyethylene a good replacement for ice? How are companies reducing plastic's friction to mimic real ice? And how can synthetic ice heal its own scratches? In this episode, we explore the structural reasons behind the properties of two types of polyethylene — ultra-high molecular weight and high-density — and see how additives are making synthetic ice smoother against wear. Skating in July might be materials science's doing.
How do running tracks help Olympic athletes set records? Why is rubber the main material in a track? And how did the 2024 Paris Olympics track incorporate shellfish shells? In this episode, we explore the history of materials used in Olympic tracks — from cinder to modern synthetics — break down how material structures directly impact running performance, and examine how innovations in materials are making tracks better and more sustainable.
How are "super shoes" different from regular sneakers? How do 3D-printed sneakers use vertical force to boost a horizontal stride? And can a running shoe be made of just one material? In this episode, we break down how material structures at the molecular level shape the properties of running shoes — from the upper to the midsole to the outsole — compare the trade-offs of different materials, and explore how innovations in materials are making shoes more sustainable while helping runners go faster.
How do bike helmets reduce death rates from head injuries by about 70%? Why do manufacturers insist you throw a helmet away after a collision — even if it looks fine? And how could materials like Oobleck make helmets safer? In this episode, we break down how material structures at the molecular level shape the properties of helmet components, and compare the trade-offs of different materials. A helmet that breaks on purpose sounds wrong — until you understand the physics it's managing.
Why does machine-made snow feel harder and icier than the natural stuff? And how are scientists improving the way we make it? In this episode, we start by explaining how snow guns work, then use chemistry and materials science concepts to discover how generated snow's distinct structure shapes the way it feels under your skis. If you've ever wondered why a resort groomer skis differently after a night of snowmaking, this one's for you.